The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, has emphasised the need for Africa to take ownership and be proactive in shaping the use of new technologies.
Mohammed made this call at the 2025 Africa Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit on Monday in Abuja.
Africa is at the epicentre of global terrorism. In this new era of technology, where it should be advancing as a human endeavour, these insurgency groups are using new technologies and improvised explosive devices to wreak havoc.
“We cannot afford to be bystanders. Africa must take ownership, must be proactive, and shape how these tools will be used,” the former environment minister said.
She highlighted the continent’s vulnerability to insurgent groups exploiting new technologies.
Mohammed noted that technology was being misused to spread hate, undermine democracy, and manipulate elections.
She cited examples of how social media amplified hate at terrifying speed and artificial intelligence transforms the landscape of security.
According to her, the same technology that offers solutions also carries profound risks.
Despite the challenges, Mohammed highlighted the potential benefits of technological advancements, including Artificial intelligence, adding that this could help spot patterns of unrest before violence erupts.
Mohammed emphasised the importance of regional cooperation in addressing security challenges.
She noted that when African countries act in isolation, they hand their adversaries their greatest advantage – division, adding that regional cooperation was crucial to Africa’s security and defence.
“When we act in isolation, we hand our adversaries their greatest advantage, our division. Regional cooperation is the linchpin of Africa’s security and defence. But we also know this is easier said than done.
“Defence collaboration is not simple; we are talking about 54 countries, each with its own policies, histories, priorities, and difficulties.
”This makes it all the more remarkable that, through the complexity and diversity, African forces still find ways to act together,” she said.
Mohammed noted that African forces have shown remarkable ability to act together despite their diversity.
